The 10-step Korean routine looks great on social media, but it is a lot for someone who is just starting. If you are new to skincare, you need four steps. Cleanse, tone, moisturize and protect your skin from the sun. Use them every day for a month before you add anything else.
Step 1: Cleanser
A cleanser removes oil, dust and sweat. Pick a gel or foam that does not leave your skin tight. The Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam works well for normal, combination and oily skin. Wash for 30 to 60 seconds, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Step 2: Toner
A toner adds a first layer of water after washing and gets the skin ready for your moisturizer. Milk Skin Toner is light and uses rice bran and niacinamide. Pat it in with clean hands. You do not need cotton pads.
Step 3: Moisturizer
Every skin type needs a moisturizer, including oily skin. It keeps the skin barrier healthy. Purito Oat In Calming Gel Cream is light and not sticky, and it does not clog pores. Use a pea-sized amount for the whole face.
Step 4: Sunscreen (morning only)
This is the step that does the most for your skin over the years. Round Lab Mild Up Sunscreen is a mineral SPF50+ with birch sap, and it is gentle on sensitive skin. Use about two fingers' length for the face and neck, and reapply if you are outside for hours. In the evening you skip this step and use only the first three.
How long to wait before adding more
Give the routine four weeks. Skin needs time to settle, and you cannot judge a product in three days. After a month, if you want to fix one thing, add one product for it. Dark spots need a brightening serum. Dry patches need a richer cream. Pores need a clay mask once a week. Do a patch test on your jaw before you use anything new on your whole face.
Common questions
Do I need a toner?
Not strictly. A toner adds a first layer of water, which helps the moisturizer work better. If you want to start with only three steps, skip it and add it later.
In what order do I use the products?
Cleanser first, then toner, then moisturizer, then sunscreen in the morning. Thinner products go on before thicker ones.
I have oily skin. Do I still need a moisturizer?
Yes. Skipping it can make oily skin produce even more oil. Use a light gel cream, like the one above, and a small amount.
When can I add a serum?
After about four weeks, when your skin feels calm. Pick one serum for one problem, such as dark spots or dryness, and add only that.
What if my skin reacts to a product?
Stop using it and keep the others. Test every new product on a small area near your jaw for two days before you use it on your whole face.
Want the four steps together?
The Beginner 4-Step Starter has all four products above and takes 5% off the total. If you are unsure about your skin type, try our skin quiz first.
